Retail sales cutomer auto-ID activation

ABSTRACT

A system for providing a user with prerecorded audio/visual information on a display unit, the system comprising a unit including an audio/visual display play mechanism; 
     means for detecting the presence of a user within the vicinity of the unit; a library of stored audio/visual clips; an auto-ID reader, such as a bar code reader for indicating which of the stored audio/visual clips to use; and means for playing the clip to attract the attention of the user by using the audio/visual play mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No.10/005,957, filed Nov. 8, 2001, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 60/334,816, filed Oct. 31, 2001.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/057,463, filed Jan. 24, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for in-storeadvertising and promotional displays, including processors for couponsto be redeemed for products, especially products bearing symbols to beelectro-optically read by personal, consumer hand-held readers or fixedmounted displays and auto-ID readers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS

The present invention relates to retail marketing systems in which anin-store promotional display is activated by and auto-ID reader, such asa small, personal bar-code readers are used by consumers are part oftheir product selection and purchasing process.

Code readers are known in the prior art for reading various symbols suchas bar code symbols appearing on a label or on the surfaces of anarticle. The bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of indiciacomprised of a series of bars of various widths spaced apart from oneanother to bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces havingdifferent light reflecting characteristics. The readers in scanning orimaging systems electro-optically transform the graphic indicia intoelectrical signals, which are decoded into information, typicallydescriptive of the article or some characteristic thereof. Suchcharacteristics are conventionally represented in digital form and usedas an input to a data processing system for applications inpoint-of-sale processing, inventory control and the like. Scanningsystems of this general type have been disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,251,798; 4,369,361; 4,387,297; 4,409,470; 4,760,248;4,896,026 and 5,600,121, all of which have been assigned to the sameassignee as the instant application. As disclosed in some of the abovepatents, such systems may employ a hand-held, portable laser scanningdevice held by a user, which is configured to allow the user to aim thedevice, and more particularly, a light beam, at a targeted symbol to beread.

The light source in a laser scanner bar code reader is typically asemiconductor laser. The use of semiconductor devices as the lightsource is especially desirable because of their small size, low cost andlow voltage and current requirements. The laser beam is opticallymodified, typically by an optical assembly, to form a beam which isdirected to the target. A spot of a certain size, shape, and orientationis formed on the target, which varies with the distance to the target.Normally, such spot has beam width in its smallest cross-section fromone to three times the size of the minimum width between regions ofdifferent light reflectivity, i.e., the bars and spaces.

In the laser beam scanning systems known in the art, the laser lightbeam is directed by a lens or other optical components along the lightpath toward a target that includes a bar code symbol on the surface. Themoving-beam scanner operates by repetitively scanning the light beam ina line, pattern or series of lines across the symbol by means of motionof a scanning component, such as the light source itself or a mirror ormirrors disposed in the path of the light beam. The scanning componentmay either sweep the beam spot across the symbol and trace a scan lineacross the pattern of the symbol, or scan the field of view of thescanner, or both.

Bar code reading systems also include a sensor or photodetector, whichdetects light reflected or scattered from the symbol. The photodetectoror sensor is positioned in the scanner in an optical path so that it hasa field of view which ensures the capture of a portion of the lightwhich is reflected or scattered off the symbol. This light is detectedand converted into an electrical signal. Electronic circuitry andsoftware decode the electrical signal into a digital representation ofthe data represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example,the analog electrical signal generated by the photodetector is convertedby a digitizer into a pulse or modulated digitized signal, with thewidths corresponding to the physical widths of the bars and spaces. Sucha digitized signal is then decoded, based on the specific symbology usedby the symbol, into a binary representation of the data encoded in thesymbol, and subsequently to the information or alphanumeric charactersso represented.

The decoding process of known bar code reading system usually works inthe following way. The decoder receives the pulse width modulateddigitized signal from the digitizer, and an algorithm, implemented inthe software, attempts to decode the signal. If the start and stopcharacters and information between them in the scan were decodedsuccessfully, the decoding process terminates and an indicator of asuccessful read (such as a green light and/or an audible beep) isprovided to the user. Otherwise, the decoder receives the next scan,performs another decode attempt on that scan, and so on, until asatisfactorily decoded scan is achieved or no more scans are available.

Such a signal is then decoded according to the specific symbology into abinary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and to theinformation or alphanumeric characters so represented. The decodedinformation may be stored or subjected to data processing.

Moving-beam laser scanners are not the only type of optical instrumentcapable of reading bar code symbols. Another type of bar code reader isone which incorporates detectors based on solid state imaging arrays orcharge coupled device (CCD) technology. In such prior art readers thedetector is typically smaller than the symbol to be read. Accordingly,image reduction is performed by an objective lens in front of the arrayor CCD. The symbol may be illuminated with light from a light sourcesuch as light emitting diodes (LED) in the scanning device, and eacharray cell is sequentially read out to determine the presence of a baror a space. A code reading engine employing imager technology isdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/096,578, filed Sep. 1, 1998,and assigned to applicant herein.

It is known to provide multiple actuators in hand-held optical codereaders. For example, a system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,098,uses a multi-position trigger switch in a hand-held laser scanner. Thescanner is aimed at the symbol to be scanned during a first operationalstate in which an aiming pattern is emitted. Once the user had alignedthe scanner properly with respect to the location of the symbol, thetrigger switch is actuated again to put the device into a secondoperational state in which the beam is scanned across the symbol in thenormal scanning or reading mode, and the symbol decoded. European PatentNo. 0355355 describes a combination bar code reader and EAS tagdeactivator, including an embodiment with a multi-position trigger.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,121, assigned to applicant, discloses, inter alia, asystem for reading indicia such as bar code symbols having a scanner forgenerating a scanning light beam directed toward a symbol to be read; afirst actuator manually displaceable from a first position to a secondposition for producing a first light beam for aiming or positioning thereader; and a second actuator manually displaceable from a firstposition to a second position for initiating a scanning beam pattern forreading the symbol. The actuators are independently operative of eachother. A detector receives the reflected light from the symbol andproduces electrical signals corresponding to data represented by thesymbol. A graphical user interface simplifies system control functions.

The known readers and scanners are generally employed to identify aproduct involved in a sales transaction. Once the product has beenidentified, its price can be retrieved from a database in order tocomplete the sales transaction. Many industries, especially foodretailers, have offered redeemable coupons as sales promotions toentitle the redeemers to discounts or refunds from the prices of theproducts being purchased. These coupons have typically been printed onpaper and distributed in newspapers, magazines, mass mailings and likepublications. Sometimes, they are simply made available in a retailstore for a shopper to pick up the paper coupon and present it to acheck-out clerk for redemption.

Recently, coupons have been made available on the Internet due to therelatively low cost of on-line distribution of coupons, as well as thecapability of tracking the activity of users on the Internet andtargeting the users with coupons that they are most likely to use. Suchon-line coupons have to be printed out on the printer of each user andthereupon presented to a check-out clerk in the same manner as the papercoupons that were traditionally clipped from publications.

However, on-line coupons have inherent risks and are susceptible toduplication, multiple use, misuse and fraud. Some coupons may be lessreadable and scannable depending on the quality of the consumer'sprinter as compared to a professionally printed coupon. Many consumers'printers print text in black and white, rather than in color, and manyretailers are trained not to accept black and white coupons because ofthe concern that an authentic professionally printed, color coupon hasbeen copied on a copy machine. Also, an on-line or electronic coupon maybe easily fraudulently altered before it is printed, thereby decreasingthe viability of on-line or Internet coupons.

There is a need, therefore for retail marketing systems in which aconsumer has a bar code reader, which is simply and inexpensivelyfabricated, which is easy to use, and which provides user access andfeedback for a broad range of functions, including access to electroniccoupons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a systemfor providing a user with prerecorded audio/visual information on adisplay unit, including a unit including an audio/visual displaymechanism; and means for detecting the presence of a user within thevicinity of the unit. There is further provided a library of storedaudio/visual clips, or a software program to operate the display in somemechanical manner. There is further provider means for receivinginformation indicating which of the stored program or audio/visual clipsto use, such as by object sensing, or auto-ID tag reading or sensing.

There are also means for playing the clip or executing the software toattract the attention of the user by using the audio/visual playmechanism.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an optical code reader and cradle inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the code reader and cradle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the optical code reader of FIG. 1 removedfrom its cradle and held in the palm of the hand of a user;

FIGS. 4a and 4 b are cross-sectional side views of two cradles employedin preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a top view and a bottom view of a tophousing half of an optical code reader of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are, respectively, top and bottom views of a circuit boardassembly used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a bottom housing half of an optical code readerof a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in partial cut away;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various electronicsub-systems usable in data collection systems in accordance with aspectsof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram for the lock toggle function of a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a laser scan module used in apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a sample coupon printed in a UCC/EAN-128 coupon extended codeformat.

FIG. 15 is an example of a display unit according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Many aspects of the present invention are contained in or useable in apreferred embodiment of the present invention whose externalconstruction and appearance are depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

This portable handheld optical code reader 30 is of a generally elongatebar shape equal to or less than four and three quarters inches in lengthhaving generally opposing upper and lower broad faces 31 and shallowside faces 33. The circumference of the code reader at its thickestportion 29 is about five inches, such that it fits comfortably in theaverage human hand as shown in FIG. 3. The front end is truncated toform a face to accommodate a scanner exit window 34. The rear end 35 isgenerally tapered and is adapted to nest in a cradle 32. Overall thereader is shaped generally elliptically when viewed from the anglesshown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

It will be understood that many aspects of the present inventiondescribed below may be adapted for use in this as well as otherhand-held or stationary optical code readers.

I. Housing, Actuators and Ergonomics of Code Reader Embodiments

FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, pictorial and side views of the opticalcode reader 30 and cradle 32 configured in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The code reader 30 is generallyelliptical in shape with slightly rounded upper and lower ends as viewedin FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the code reader. Theleft side view is a mirror image of FIG. 2.

A scanner exit window 34 is located at one end of the reader (the topend in FIGS. 1 and 3). The actuators comprise a scan button 36 and adelete button 38. Feedback to the user is provided by a three-color LEDdisplay visible through LED window 40. A removable battery cover 42 islocated on the opposite side of the reader from the buttons and LEDwindow.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the optical code reader 30 of FIGS. 1 and2, shown removed from the cradle 32 and held in the hand of the user.The FIG. illustrates, among other things, the approximate size of thecode reader. The FIG. also shows how the code reader fits in one hand,where it can be easily and accurately aimed. The scan button 36 may bepressed with the thumb to initiate scanning. Access to the delete button38 is partially obstructed by a raised casing area 44, which reduces thepossibility of inadvertent actuation of the delete button 38.

II. Cradle, and Electrical and Optical Interfaces

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the code reader 30 also may includea communication connector socket 46 at the rear end of the device intowhich a plug 48 may be inserted. The plug and socket may be used toelectronically transfer collected optical code data to a personalcomputer or other suitable data handling terminal.

In a more preferred embodiment the plug 48 is a miniature stereo phoneplug located in the cradle 32. The structure of such a cradle and plugis shown in greater detail in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4(a). Thestructure may be easily fabricated from a pre-made miniature phone plugand cable assembly 50. The plug portion 52 may have a molded casing 54which snaps into and out of corresponding walls 56 of the cradle 32.This construction has the advantage that a stock cable can be used forcommunication either by itself or in conjunction with the cradle 32. Aswitch in the socket 46 may be used to detect insertion of the plug andto disable the laser scanner when the plug is inserted in the codereader.

An optional optical interface may also be conveniently provided using asuitable cradle or docking station. The structure of such a cradle 60 isshown in FIG. 4(b) in cross-section. A code reader 30 of a preferredembodiment of the present invention is shown inserted in the cradle 60.When so inserted the LED display window 40 of the reader is locatedadjacent to a photo detector 62. A light emitting element or LED 64 islocated on a optical path of the code reader 30, to project an opticalsignal to the code reader 30 through the scanner exit window 34.

In operation an RS 232 output port of the reader 30 may be electricallyconnected to the LED display and to a photo detector employed in thescanning module of the reader. Data may be input into the reader 30 bymeans of the LED 64 as indicated by signal line 66. Light produced bythe LED 64 is projected along an optical input path which may becollinear with an optical input path of the scanner during normalscanning operations. Detection input data may be digitized and appliedto a data receptor line of a microcontroller of the reader.Advantageously, the input data may be transmitted at about a 9600 baudrate, which approximates the frequency band associated with lightsignals produced when a bar code is scanned. Thus, the input electronicsof the reader may be optimized to one frequency band common to both barcode scanning and optical interface signal input.

Data may be optically outputted from the code reader 30 by employing thedisplay LED. Light produced by a display LED for example a red displayLED may pass through LED display window 40 and be detected by the photodetector 62, where it is converted to a electrical signal and passed toa host or terminal as indicated by signal line 68.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the reader 30 may beprovided with two modes of connectivity: electrical and optical. Theelectrical communication mode may be implemented at lower cost and maybe more appropriate for home use, especially where the reader host is ahome personal computer. The optical cradle requires electrical power forthe LED 64. It may be more appropriate in heavy use environments such asa centralized host Kiosk in a store which exchanges data with many codereaders and which is always ready to accept data from the code readersit services. It will be understood that while the optical interfacecradle or dock may be more expensive to fabricate, it is lesssusceptible to wear and tear caused by, for example, electrical contactdegradation.

Further alternative types of cradles or docks may employ either of theabove described electrical or optical interfaces, but contain furthercircuitry permitting direct access to and communication with telephone,cable or internet lines.

III. Internal Construction

The internal construction of the optical code reader 30 of FIGS. 1through 3 will now be described. The top housing half 100 of the opticalcode reader is shown in plan view in FIG. 5, wherein like features ofthe embodiment of the preceding figures are identified by the samenumerals. The underside of the top housing half 100 is shown in planview in FIG. 6. A flexible button pad member 102 is attached to thehousing half 100 at 104. The pad assembly 102 includes a scan buttonportion 106 and a delete button portion 108 integrally connected to eachother by the elongated, flexible, serpentine portion 110. Flange portion112 and 114 of the button portions are normally held against the housinghalf 100 by internal protruding posts 116 which rest on an underlyingcircuit board assembly 152 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. Activation pillars118 and 120 are integrally formed in their respective button portions106 and 108 respectively.

In operation, when the scan button 106 is depressed, it triggers anelectrical switch 150 located on an underlying circuit board assembly152 shown in FIG. 7. Likewise, when the delete button 108 is depressed,it triggers an electrical switch 154, also located on the circuit boardassembly 152.

The circuit board assembly 152 will now be described in greater detailin connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. The circuit board assembly is shown inFIG. 7 positioned in a lower housing half 156 and held in position bypost 157 and pressure tabs 159, both carried by the lower housing half156. The scanner exit window is located at 158. A scanner module orengine 160 is located on the underside of the circuit board assembly 152and directs a laser scanning beam outward through the exit window at158.

A scanner module useful in the code reader of the present invention isconstructed in the shape of a rectangular solid and known as an SE 900scanner module. Such a scanner module is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/275,858, filed Mar. 24, 1999, which is herebyincorporated by reference. Alternatively, the scanner module may be a“scanner on a chip” such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/209,243 filed Dec. 10, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,947, whichis hereby incorporated by reference. As a further alternate the scannermodule maybe of a cylindrical type as discussed below in connection withFIG. 13. Finally, the optical detection may be performed by a codereading engine employing imager technology such as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/096,578, filed Sep. 1, 1998, and herebyincorporated by reference.

The circuit board assembly 152 includes a single main circuit board 161on which electrical components are mounted, including switches 150 and154, display LED 162, micro processor chip 164, memory chip 166 and I/Ocommunications chip 168. Advantageously, the display LED is aconventional bi-color LED (red and green) capable of producing red,green and yellow light (yellow light being produced by combining red andgreen light). A communication connector socket 170 and the scannermodule may be mounted on the underside of the circuit board 161 as shownin FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates the lower housing half of the optical code reader,with an upper wall of a battery compartment 180 cut away to reveal thelocation of the batteries 182 and 184, battery compartment side wallsand spring contacts. In a preferred embodiment the batteries are AAAtype batteries.

An outer side wall 186 of the battery compartment forms a side wallwhich encircles the batteries. Inner end walls 188 and 190 areconfigured with small apertures 192 slightly larger than the protrudingcontacts 194 (positive terminals) employed on standard 1.5 voltbatteries. In operation the contacts 194 penetrate in the apertures 192and make electrical contact with conductive spiral helical springs 196and 198.

The opposite ends (negative terminals) 199 of the batteries are formedsubstantially flat and rest against helical springs 200 and 202 whichprotrude through larger apertures 204 in the inner side walls 188 and190.

Spiral helical springs 196 and 200 are electrically connected together.Spiral helical springs 198 and 202 end in spring loaded arms 206 and207, respectively. When the circuit board assembly 152 is positioned inthe lower housing half 156, the spring arms maintain themselves inpressure contact with conductive lands 208 on the underside of thecircuit board 161 shown in FIG. 8. Thereby, the batteries are connectedin series to provide an appropriate voltage (typically 3V DC) to thecircuit elements of the optical code reader.

It is conventional to include at least one diode in the power supplycircuit of hand held battery powered scanners and other battery powereddevices to prevent damage to the circuitry if a battery is inadvertentlyinstalled backwards (i.e., with its positive and negative terminalsreversed). The need for such measures is obviated by the structures ofFIG. 9. It will be readily understood that the contact spring for thepositive battery terminal is accessible only if the protruding terminal194 of the battery is inserted into the small aperture 192. These samecontact springs are inaccessible to the wide, flat negative terminal ofthe battery. Accordingly, if a battery is inserted backwards, thecircuit is not completed.

IV. Optical/Electronic Systems

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of anoptical code reading system of the present invention. Portions of thesystems of FIG. 10 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,371, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Generallyspeaking, the system elements enclosed by the dotted line 209 may behoused in a hand-held optical code reader 210, while the systems outsideline 209 may be resident in an external computer or terminal whichcommunicates with the reader through a communications link such asdescribed above.

The hand-held code reader 210 includes an optical code reading module211 which may be an imager or a laser scan module of conventionalconstruction or of the type described in detail below. The bar codebeing read is indicated at 212.

The module is controlled by a controller 214, which may be implementedin a microprocessor. The controller receives at least three usersignals: from the scan key switch 216; from the delete key switch 218and from the docking switch 220. The keys may be actuated by the fingersof the user. The docking switch may be actuated by insertion of acommunication plug 222 into the docking switch.

The optical code reader 210 provides feedback directly to the user in atleast two ways: through audible signals produced by one or more audioenunciators 224 and through visual signals produced by one or more lightemitting diodes 226. In a preferred embodiment, the code reader providesaudio feedback in the form of short or long beeps of two differentfrequency and warble beeps. Visual feedback may include continuous(solid) or flashing red, amber and/or green light signals from the LED.The audio enunciator(s) and LED(s) are operated in response to thecontroller 214. Preferred techniques for providing the user feedback aredescribed below.

Signals from the module 211 may be processed in signal processor 228 anddecoded by decoder 230. Decoded signals may be provided for storage inthe memory 232 which may have, for example, a capacity to storeinformation of up to 500 scanned items (UPC codes). Informationconcerning coupons (discussed below) may preferably be stored in aseparate memory or a distinct section of an existing memory. Thissegregation reflects the fact that coupon data may be stored for theduration of multiple scanning or shopping sessions until used.Information in the memory or memories may be communicated to an externalterminal 234 through communications unit 236, the plug 222, and cable238.

A clock 240 may be included in the circuitry of the code reader. Theclock may be employed, for example, to periodically awaken the codereader at scheduled times or intervals for data downloading. The clockmay also be connected to a display (not shown) so that the code readercan be used as a timepiece.

V. Host Terminal Implementations and Uses for the Code Reader Withcontinuing reference to FIG. 10, the optical code reader 210 maycommunicate with the terminal 234 in the manner described above. Thetype of terminal and communication used with the code reader will dependon the use environment for the code reader. Several examples will now beprovided.

It will be understood that versions of the optical code readersdescribed may be very inexpensively fabricated. So much so that itbecomes feasible to sell the unit to store customers for use in tallyingtheir purchases in store and/or for use at home in preparing shoppinglists. As an alternate the code reader could be leased to the customer.The rental can be based on time (for example a monthly rental fee). Morepreferably, the rental may be based on the number of decodes performedby the customer with the unit. The numbers of decodes or accumulatedrental charges can be counted by software and hardware in the codereader or in a store terminal with which the code reader periodicallycommunicates. In this system, the rental is based on use and can beconveniently tallied and automatically collected when the code readercommunicates with a system terminal.

In one preferred embodiment, the system terminal may be a personalcomputer. Through the appropriate selection of the communication unit236 and the cabling, the reader may communicate directly with a serialport of the personal computer. The code reader and cradle may beprovided as an inexpensive preferred component. Applications softwareinstalled on the computer enables the upload of a data from the codereader to the computer. Such software may be provided to the computer,for example, on magnetic media, CDs or over the Internet.

With appropriate applications software the PC can recognize when thecode reader is docked in the cradle. The PC can, for example, downloadinformation from the docked reader at a predetermined time. Docking mayautomatically disable the scanning mode of the code reader.

In other preferred embodiments, the system terminal may be a highlycapable point of sale terminal. The point of sale terminal may bringtogether inputs and data from a variety of sources other than the handheld optical code readers of customers and employees. Such sourcesinclude a pen tablet, a fingerprint recognition pad, a magnetic stripreader (e.g., for credit card verification), a smart card reader (withor without contacts), a speech recognition system, a global positioningsystem (GPS), an RF transceiver, removable memory cards or discs, analogI/O, IrDA data or an encryption/decryption system. Outputs of theterminal may include a display, a speaker system and a printer.

In a shopping environment, the system may provide additional functionssuch as aisle sorting the customer's shopping list or providing priceranges for items on the list. Such information can be obtained byconnecting the code reader to the merchants' data server to obtainproduct, price and/or location data on the items which the merchant hasfor sale.

Advantageously, a portion of the internal memory of the code reader canbe allocated to a variety of applications other than storing informationon scanned items. For example, 128 bytes of memory could be allocated toapplications memory. Among the data which could be stored in theapplications memory are the customer's name, the customer's telephonenumber, the identity of the issuing store or owner of the scanner andthe telephone number of the store. The customer and the store identityand telephone numbers provide convenient means by which a host terminalcan greet and identify the user of the code reader and indicate andaccess the associated issuer or store. Alternatively or in addition,each code reader may be provided with a memory of its unique serialnumber, which a host terminal may use to look up, for example, theidentity of the customer or the issuing store. Such identificationinformation may be used in a key and lock system which enables onlyauthorized customers to use the scanner at authorized stores or forauthorized purchases.

The allocated applications memory may also be employed to storetransaction related data. For example, the memory may store the numberof decodes for billing as described above, or keep a store-by-store logof the total dollar purchases (for example for tallying up volume orpatronage discounts).

Other memory internal to the code reader may be used for storing coupon.data. For example, an electronic coupon can be uploaded by scanning thebar code of a printed coupon or by electronically downloading the couponfrom a web site or by simply inputting the coupon into the code readerwhen the code reader is connected to a merchant host terminal. Forexample, memory for 200 or 300 coupons might be provided includingcoupon values, expiration dates and validity data.

An example of the operation of a coupon redemption process is asfollows. A customer could load electronic coupons into the reader in oneor more of the ways described above. The customer could scan purchaseditems with the code reader. Data concerning both the purchased item andthe electronic coupon could be downloaded by a merchant host terminal,which would pair valid coupons with corresponding purchases. The hostterminal would discard expired coupons, delete used coupons, and returnunexpired, unused coupons to the memory of the code reader.

In other preferred embodiments, a method is provided for using the barcode reader to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and at least oneof a plurality of merchants or sellers of a product or service utilizinga computer network. In accordance with that method, a product or serviceidentification derived from scanning a bar code symbol is in put intothe bar code reader. A customer identifier is provided in the bar codereader (for example, a unique serial number permanently stored in thebar code reader). The bar code reader is manually associated with atransaction terminal linked to a computer network by, for example,docking the code reader in a host terminal. The potential suppliers onthe network capable of providing the product or service are determined.An inquiry is transmitted over the network to the plurality of sellersto determine the price and availability of the product or service. Insome environments such as stock transactions, price and availabilitychange rapidly and, it will be understood that, sales transactions canbe performed in a timely way with the present method. Also, the sellerscan use the customer identity to determine whether and under what termsto complete the sale. Responses are received in the host terminal fromone or more sellers including a sales offer; an acceptance istransmitted responsive to one of said sale offers; and a payment isprovided to the seller by using a payment identifier transmitted by thetransaction terminal. In this way the network is accessed by the barcode reader to facilitate sales transactions.

In other preferred embodiments, a customized scanner is employed whichcarries an identifier of a particular supplier or distributor of aproduct or service, e.g., a sponsoring merchant. The sponsoring merchantmay itself distribute its bar code readers to customers or potentialcustomers. In this case the bar code reader may be used to facilitatetransactions between a customer and the particular supplier to whom aninquiry is transmitted over a computer network to determine the currentprice and availability of a product or service from the supplier. Thecustomer may receive a response from the supplier over the computernetwork including a current price. The customer may then transmit anacceptance identifier to the supplier over the computer network.

In further, preferred embodiments, the code reader is integrated with awireless transceiver unit to facilitate a transaction between a buyerand a seller. For example bar code scanners of the present invention maybe integrated into a cellular telephone. In such a case, the need todock the scanner with a host terminal or home personal computer toupload or download data may be obviated. The user of such a system mayinput an order or bid request and directly transmit the order or bidrequest to a supplier. It will be understood that a customer or supplieridentifier in the unit may be used for the purposes described above, inorder, for example to direct customers to a sponsoring merchant, or toidentify the customer to validate use, payment or acceptance.

VI. Actuator States, Timing, Indicators and Functionality.

FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram, illustrating the coordination ofvarious functions of the optical codes reader/PC system of a preferredembodiment of the present invention. In the diagram various code readeroperation such as scan, dock and delete are represented as circles.System states are represented as squares. The PC operation of viewing alist of stored items is shown in a rounded square accessible from the“dock” operation. The diagram, indicates, among other things, thevarious options or responses to the condition of full memory or lowbattery.

As noted above, the code reader of a preferred embodiment has two useractuated keys and a number of audio and visual feedback capabilities.These inputs and outputs are coordinated with at least five basicfunctions: Scan (e.g., item input), deletion of item, clearing memory,communicating with a host terminal and actuating a lock out. Therelationship of the user action to function performed and audible/visualfeedback are given in the following Table I.

TABLE I Code Reader Functions - User Action/Feedback Function LEDFeedback Beeper Performed User Action (Green. Red, Amber) Feedback OtherScan Item bar code Press & hold scan key Flashing green -> solid greenShort beep, freq1 Laser Valid param bar code Flashing green -> solidgreen 2 short beeps, freq1 Laser Invalid param bar code Flashing green-> solid red 3 short beeps, freq1 Laser Delete z (When enabled) Itembarcode Press & hold delete key Flashing amber -> solid amber Shortbeep. freq2 Laser Item doesn't exist Flashing amber -> solid red Warblebeep. Laser Param bar code Flashing amber -> solid red 3 short beepsLaser (Delete disabled- Press & hold delete key Flashing amber NoneLaser Clear All enabled) Fall through to Clear All (Delete & Clear AllPress & hold delete key None None None disabled) Clear All (Whenenabled) Press & hold delete key Flashing amber -> solid amber Longbeep, freq2 Laser on for scan 3 sec past scan time time, then off None(When disabled) Hold delete key past scan time None None HostCommunication Successful Unit docked and awakened by Flashing green ->solid green Short beep on host connect, then None (Powerdown recv'd)Host or push of scan or delete key long beep on power down UnsuccessfulFlashing green -> solid red None Child Lock Toggle (When enabled) Press& hold both scan and delete None Hi low, Hi low None keys for 1 sec

Under the “Scan” function, three possibilities and their user feedbacksare noted in Table I: scan of an item bar code, scan of a valid parambar code and scan of an invalid param bar code. Param bar codes are barcodes which change the behavior or basic functionality of the codereader, rather than indicating the identity of a particular item in themanner of a UPC code. As such the param bar code may be used to effector toggle higher level operations such as for example converting thecode reader to a laser pointer.

Under the “Delete” function, three possibilities are noted in Table I:scan of an item bar code previously entered in memory, scan of a barcode not in memory, and scan of a param bar code. When the deletefunction is enabled, the scanning of an item bar code previously enteredin memory, deletes one of the item from memory. Repeated use of thisdelete function may be used to decrement the quantity field in memoryfor the item, one unit at a time. Scanning of the bar code of an itemwhose current count in memory is zero while pressing and holding thedelete key, provides the user a feedback signal of the inability todelete. Param bar codes may be scanned to enable or disable the Deletefunction and Clear All function (described below).

Under the Clear All function, two possibilities are noted in Table I:when Clear All function is enabled or when Clear All function isdisabled. When the Clear All function is enabled, pressing and holdingthe delete key while scanning an item bar code and holding the deletekey 3 seconds past the scan time, deletes all of the items memory(reduces the item count to zero) and provides the indicated userfeedbacks. In this way the memory can be cleared of all of an item, and,if desired, one or more of the item may then be reentered by using theScan function for the item bar code. Advantageously, the default settingof the code reader is one in which both the Clear All and Deletefunctions are enabled.

As shown in Table I a Lock Toggle is provided in the code reader. Thesystem may be employed to shut out unauthorized use to protect data andto prevent inadvertent eye exposure to laser light. As indicated inTable I the function is performed by pressing and holding both the scanand delete keys for one second. Because of the location of the two keysand the location of the blocking ridge 44 around the delete key,accidental toggling of the lock is minimized.

FIG. 12 is a switch timing diagram for the Lock Toggle function. In theexample, the state of a first key pressed (the scan or delete key) isindicated by line 250. The state of the other key is indicated by line252. A delay of T occurs during which the unit powers up and recognizedthe first key press at 254. An additional interval of up to 200milliseconds is provided for pressing of the other key to toggle thelock out function. If the second key is pressed within that interval (asit is at 256) and if both keys remain depressed fro the remainder of the1 second interval, the lock is toggled. The requirement that actuationof both keys be detected within the 200 millisecond period tends toprevent lock out toggling except in situations where the user intendedto simultaneously press both buttons.

The code reader is also capable of communicating certain specialconditions such as MEMORY LOW (reader memory nearly filled to capacity),MEMORY FULL, BATTERY LOW, LOCK ENABLED AND ON, and UNEXPECTED FAILURE.(The BATTERY DEAD condition is implicitly communicated because thesystem ceases to respond altogether when the battery is dead). Therelationship of user actions, the special conditions, and theaudible/visible feedback are given in the following Table II.

TABLE II Code Reader Functions-User Action/Feedback Special Cases LEDFeedback Beeper Special Condition User Action (Green, Red, Amber) LEDFeedback Other Memory Low Scan Item or param bar codes Press & hold scankey Flashing red -> Normal operation Normal operation Laser Delete/ClearAll Press & hold delete key Normal operation Normal operation LaserMemory Full Scan Any bar code Press & hold scan key Solid red Long beepsfor 5 sec None or until scan released Delete/Clear All Press & holddelete key Normal operation Normal operation Laser Battery LowIndication (When enabled) Scan Item & param bar codes Press & hold scankey Solid red -> normal operation Normal operation Laser Delete Item &param bar codes Press & hold delete key Solid red -> normal operationNormal operation Laser Clear All Press & hold delete key Solid red ->solid amber Long beep, freq2 Laser on for Scan time then 3 sec past scantime off Lock (Enabled & ON) scan/delete/dock Rapidly flashing red NoneNone Unexpected Failure scan/delete/dock Flash red, green and amber forNone None 5 sec (Service Call) Battery Dead scan/delete/dock None NoneNone

It will understood that the code reader of the above-describedembodiments in capable of performing its many functions and provide userfeedback without the need of an on board display screen, thus reducingthe cost and complexity of the code reader.

VI. Opto-mechanical Layout of Cylindrical Module Embodiment

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a laser scan module for use ingenerally cylindrical housings. The module of FIG. 13 employs a mirrormounted on a leaf spring. Alternative embodiments may use spiral tapesprings which permit the mirror to pivot about a shaft about which thespiral tape spring is wrapped.

In FIG. 13, the laser scan module 500, includes a generally circularplanar base 502. It is adapted to be housed in a generally cylindricalhousing such as that indicated at 501. Alternatively the module may bepositioned on a code reader main circuit board such as shown in FIG. 8.A semiconductor light source 504, such as a laser diode 506 and lens 508may be located on the base 502. The light source 504 generates a lightbeam projected along a first optical path indicated by arrows 510.

A generally planar, reciprocally oscillated reflector or mirror 512 ispositioned above the base and located in the first optical path 510. Thereflector directs the laser beam impinging on it toward a code symbollocated in the field indicated by arrow 514. A spring coupled to thereflector 512, pivotably supports the reflector for oscillatingmovement. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the spring is a leaf spring 516,fixed to the module at 518.

A drive mechanism is also supported on the base 502 for reciprocallyoscillating the reflector 512. The drive may include a permanent magnet520 connected to the reflector and coupled to an electromagnetic coil522. When an alternating drive signal is applied to the coil 522, analternating magnetic field is produced which acts to oscillate thepermanent magnet and, in turn, to flex the spring and reciprocallyoscillate the reflector about an axis generally perpendicular to theplane of the figure.

A photodetector 524, such as a semiconductor photodiode is also mountedon the circular base under the reflector. The photodetector generates anelectrical signal indicative of light reflected from a target codesymbol. A one-piece optical element 526, includes a beam folding section(such as generally planar section 528), and a collection mirror portion(such as curved portion 530). The optical element 526 is designed toreceive retro-reflected light from the reflector and direct it to thephotodetector 524.

The electronic coupon redemption process discussed above is enhanced byusing additional information encoded as a second bar code symbol inaddition to the first bar code symbol 212. As shown for a sample coupon600 in FIG. 14, the first bar code symbol 212 contains themanufacturer's identity and the product identifying information, as isstandard. The second bar code symbol 610 contains the additionalinformation arranged in a template or format in which a four digitapplication identifier 612 gives the format of the data to follow, asingle digit number system character code 614 gives a manufacturer'snumber for products of the same manufacturer, a four digit offer code616 gives a number assigned by manufacturers to code coupon offers, anda four digit expiration date 618, where the first two digits representsthe month, and the last two digits represents the year, gives the datethat the product expires. The extended symbol 610 can also include asecond two digit application identifier 620 followed by an eight digithousehold identifier 622.

The portable user apparatus or optical code reader 30, 210 is capable ofreading both symbols 212, 610 on the extended code coupon 600. Thecoupon 600 was downloaded from a server on the Internet, or from a hostterminal at the transaction site, and was printed on paper.

As previously described, an electronic coupon may be read into thememory 232 of the portable reader by scanning a printed symbol 610, bydownloading data from an Internet server or from a host computer, or bymanual keyboard entry, to store coupon data. The reader can also scan aproduct identifying code or symbol 212 associated with the product beingpurchased, preferably being affixed directly on the product, to storeproduct data. The coupon data and the product data are transmitted,preferably by wireless transmission at a radio frequency, to atransaction system or host computer 234 remote from the portable reader.The coupon data and the product data are electronically matched in amemory of the host computer, which thereupon transmits an acknowledgmentsignal to the portable reader, or to a check-out terminal at the site ofthe sales transaction, again by wireless transmission. Theacknowledgment signal confirms that a match has been made and that thecoupon is valid and has been redeemed.

It is advantageous if the controller 214 includes circuitry for limitingthe number of coupons that are stored in the memory 232. The limitingcircuitry could also be located in the host computer 234. The limitingcircuitry serves to insure that the number of coupons that are redeemeddoes not exceed a maximum approved by the manufacturer.

It is further advantageous if the wireless transmission is initiatedwhen the portable reader 30 is placed on the cradle 32, or when anactuator on the reader is manually actuated, or automatically after eachreading of a product identifying code and coupon. The customeridentifier stored in the memory 232 is useful in determining the originand destination of each transmission. Advantageously, the customeridentifier is provided in the household ID field 622 of the symbol 610.

Another feature of the product invention is an in-store advertisingsystem 700 illustrated in FIG. 15 which includes a display 701 and/orprinted sign mounted on a stand, column, or the edge of a shelf in asupermarket (or other kind of store) along with some other features.

Many of the points outlined below pertain to ways to decrease powerconsumption. This is a critical aspect of the invention, and one thatdifferentiates it from varius kiosk marketing systems that have precededit. It is important to position the display near products beingadvertised, where there will usually be no source of power available, sobatteries will be the only practical means of powering these displays.It would, of course, be impractical to run wiring to a new locationevery time the display is moved to be near a new product for a newpromotion. It will therefore be important to minimize power consumptionby powering down any part of the system whenever possible. The powersupply rail system can be used to eliminate batteries, but it will beimpractical to install it for initial roll-outs, pilot tests etc., soinitial acceptance of this kind of product will be dependant upon itsability to operate for a long time on a set of batteries. Later, whenthe product becomes well established, and when it is known there will bea large enough continuing revenue stream generated by this system it maybecome economically justified to install the power supply rails.

The features of the invention are numbered below:

1. A shelf mounted advertising display system 700 that includes anobject sensor to initiate actions that will draw the shoppers attentionto the display. The initiated actions can include blinking LEDs 702,animating displays on an LCD display screen 701, energizing motors tocause physical motion etc.

2. The display described above may also including a bar code, R.F. tag,mag stripe or smart card reader 703.

3. The device of 1 and 2 above but also including a radio for one or twoway communication with a computer system.

4. The device of 1,2,3 above in which the bar code scanner, r.f. tagreader, smart card reader or mag stripe reader are de-energized untilthe presence of an object bearing the media that is to be read isdetected by a sensor.

5. All of the above with the radio only being energized when a bar code(assume from here on that when I say bar code I also mean R.F. tag, magstripe or smart card) has been decoded.

6. No. 5 in which the radio is automatically powered down after the barcode data has been transmitted to the remote computing device, and inwhich the bar code scanner is automatically de-energized when the barcode has been decoded.

7. The shelf mounted advertising display described above which alsoincludes a printer for printing coupons or a dispenser for dispensingpre-printed coupons. The printer and its associated electronics onlybeing energized during the printing process.

8. All of the above in which the advertising system is powered byrechargeable batteries or by disposable single use batteries.

9. Feature 1 through 7 in which the system is powered by power suppliedto it by a rail system mounted to the store shelf, allowing the systemto be positioned anywhere along the shelf.

10. Feature No. 8 in which the batteries are recharged, or in whichbattery life is extended by solar cells mounted on the housing of theadvertising system.

11. All of the above features in which the advertising system is part ofa larger system that enables shoppers to receive discounts or otheroffers on the advertised products.

12. Feature No. 11 in which the discounts are delivered electronically,without the use of paper coupons.

13. Features No. 11 and 12 in which the shopper receives a discount orother offer after scanning an identification card with the bar codescanner in the advertising display unit.

14. All of the above features in which the offered discount or offer isdependant on the identity of the shopper.

15. The above features in which the system keeps records about thenumber of user identity cards scanned, the number of offers accepted byshoppers and/or the number of activations of the attention drawingfeatures.

16. All of the above features in which the display can also be used as aprice checker, or to perform other kiosk functions.

17. The advertising display above which includes two sensors. One sensorhas extended range sufficient to activate attention attracting featureswhen a person or shopping cart moves within several feet of the display.A second sensor turns on the bar code scanner when an object carryingthe bar code is placed within the reading field of the scanner.

18. The advertising systems above including a bar code printed on theadvertising display, or on the display housing, or displayed on anelectronic display, in which the bar code can be scanned by a portablescanner carried by a shopper to facilitate delivering offers or couponsto the shopper.

19. The system of 18 in which the offers or discounts are varieddepending upon who the shopper is.

20. The advertising system above in which the attention attractingactions are canceled when an object comes within range of the shortrange sensor that triggers the bar code scanner, or when a bar code isdecoded by the scanner. The actions are re-initiated when anothershopper comes within range of the extended range sensor.

21. The systems described above in which the object sensors use opticalor R.F. energy to sense objects.

While aspects of the present invention have been described withreference to preferred embodiments and examples, the invention to beprotected is defined by the literal language of the following claims andequivalents thereof.

I claim:
 1. A system for providing a user with prerecorded audio/visualinformation on a display unit, the system comprising: a unit includingan audio/visual display play mechanism; means for detecting the presenceof a user within the vicinity of the unit; a library of storedaudio/visual clips; means for receiving information indicating which ofthe stored audio/visual clips to use; and means for playing the clip toattract the attention of the user by using the audio/visual playmechanism.
 2. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an oneor more of the following: a bar code, R.F. tag, mag stripe or smart cardreader.
 3. A system as defined in claim 2, further comprising: a radiofor one or two way communication with a remote computer.
 4. A system asdefined in claim 1, further comprising: means for de-energizing the barcode scanner, r.f. tag reader, smart card reader or mag stripe readeruntil the presence of an object bearing the media that is to be read isdetected by a sensor indicating the object in which reading range.
 5. Asystem as defined in claim 3, further comprising: means for energizingthe radio only following decoding of the media read by the reader.
 6. Asystem as defined in claim 5, further comprising: means forde-energizing the radio after the bar code data has been transmitted tothe remote computing device.
 7. A system as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising: a printer for printing coupons or a dispenser for dispensingpre-printed coupons.
 8. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein thesystem is powered by batteries.
 9. A system as defined in claim 1,wherein the unit is mounted to a shelf, and the system is powered bypower supplied to it by a rail system mounted to the shelf, allowing thesystem to be positioned anywhere along the shelf.
 10. A system asdefined in claim 1, wherein battery life is extended by solar cellsmounted on the housing of the advertising system.
 11. A system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the advertising system is part of a largersystem that enables shoppers to receive discounts or other offers on theadvertised products.
 12. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein thediscounts are delivered electronically, without the use of papercoupons.
 13. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the shopperreceives a discount or other offer after scanning an identification cardwith the bar code scanner in the advertising display unit.
 14. A systemas defined in claim 1, wherein the offered discount or offer isdependent on the identity of the shopper.
 15. A system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the system keeps records about the number of useridentity cards scanned, the number of offers accepted by shoppers and/orthe number of activations of the attention drawing features.
 16. Asystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the display can also be used as aprice checker, or to perform other kiosk functions.
 17. A system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the advertising display includes twosensors, one sensor with an extended range sufficient to activateattention attracting features when a person or shopping cart moveswithin several feet of the display, and a second sensor turns on the barcode scanner when an object carrying the bar code is placed within thereading field of the scanner.
 18. A system as defined in claim 1,wherein the advertising systems above including a bar code printed onthe advertising display, or on the display housing, or displayed on anelectronic display, in which the bar code can be scanned by a portablescanner carried by a shopper to facilitate delivering offers or couponsto the shopper.
 19. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the offersor discounts are varied depending upon who the shopper is.
 20. A systemas defined in claim 1, wherein the attention attracting actions arecanceled when an object comes within range of the short range sensorthat triggers the bar code scanner, or when a bar code is decoded by thescanner and the actions are re-initiated when another shopper comeswithin range of the extended range sensor.
 21. A system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the object sensors use reflected optical or R.F. energyto sense objects.